Integration of iron phosphide onto CdIn2S4 accelerates carrier separation for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Photocatalytic water splitting into H 2 is considered an economical and environmentally friendly method for H 2 evolution, and rationally designing a non-noble metal cocatalyst maintains an enormous effect on a photocatalytic system. Herein, with metallic FeP, introducing n-type semiconductor CdIn 2 S 4 induces a rapid charge transfer across the FeP/CdIn 2 S 4 Schottky junction, furthering improved photocatalytic activity. The optimal FeP/CdIn 2 S 4 composite presents an impressive hydrogen evolution rate of 1.28 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 , which was nearly 9.8 times higher than that of CdIn 2 S 4 (0.13 mmol·g −1 ·h −1 ). Quantum efficiency can reach up to 14.5 % at 420 nm. Systematic investigations reveal that FeP can be reserved as a cocatalyst, providing more reactive sites and lower overpotential for hydrogen evolution. This work offers a new strategy for designing and fabricating efficient photocatalytic energy conversion cocatalysts.